THE world’s in freefall. We’ve ignored Back to the Future 2’s premonitions. Common sense took the last DeLorean out of here and Biff Tannen’s in the White House.
The local pub is rock to cling to during this time of political upheaval, just as Lou’s diner was Marty McFly’s go-to during his time travelling adventures.
For Scots, the “local” remains an extension of home. It’s at the core of life from cradle to grave, where we go to wet the baby’s head and mourn loved ones lost.
When my good friend Martin Soutar passed, we placed a plaque in Lebowski’s in Finnieston, Glasgow, to commemorate the five o’clock club he helped create.
At around 5pm each evening, friends from all walks of life would gather to discuss everything from their working day to the political climate. That’s what the local is all about. It’s special, a world without barriers of class or creed.
With common sense on vacation, it comes as no surprise the local is under attack, crushed by red tape and bureaucracy. It makes dealing with council tax, traffic wardens and the benefits system feel like finger painting.
The Scottish Government’s astronomical rates rises – highlighted first by The Herald – may not register with the average punter, but £10 pints will not go unnoticed.
The five o’clock club’s choice of tipple has matured along with our age. The lager is now craft ale, chased by a good Verdejo with a spritz. Martin will no doubt be laughing at us from his barstool in the sky. He may well fall off his stool when he sees the cost of his round, should these rises go through unchecked.
Your local needs your help. Contact your councillor to voice your concerns. Take your better half for dinner, meet that mate you haven’t seen for a while or just pop in for a pint.
Time is of the essence, there’s no Delorean to go back and fix things. When your local’s gone, it’s gone.
Restauranteur and publican Graham Suttle is the managing director of Kained Holdings which has nine venues across the central belt, including The Finnieston and Porter & Rye.
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